27.01.25

Success Story: Placing a Fractional CTO into a SaaS Startup/Scaleup

Success Story: Helping an SaaS / EdTech Startup Find Their Perfect Fractional CTO

At dcoded, we believe in connecting businesses who shape our tomorrow, with the absolute best tech talent today. We recently helped an SaaS (EdTech) startup in Manchester find a Fractional CTO, and we wanted to share the journey with you.

The Challenge: More Than Just a Developer

Our client, a brilliant EdTech startup, initially needed a Senior Developer to boost their platform. But after talking with them, we realised they needed something bigger. They were at a crucial stage, facing a massive SaaS build and a tight deadline. They needed a leader – someone who could not only guide the technical side but also shape their product strategy, drive commercial value, make the ‘right’ technical decisions, mentor their team, and ensure they stayed on track.

Essentially, they needed a Fractional CTO, someone with serious experience in the SaaS (and ideally EdTech) world. This person needed to:
•    Scale their SaaS platform: They were ready to grow, and their tech needed to keep up.
•    Lead their engineering, product and UX divisions: Inspire, mentor, and guide their developers, designers and product team to success.
•    Master cloud tech, data, and AWS / DevOps: The foundation for a thriving EdTech company.
•    Bring strong business sense: Align tech with their overall business goals.
•    Upskill their team: Share their knowledge and foster a culture of innovation.

Finding the Perfect Fit: A Human Approach

We started with a face-to-face meeting at their Manchester office – meeting their Founder. We wanted to truly understand their vision, their struggles, and their dreams. We realised their initial request was just the tip of the iceberg. They needed a strategic partner, not just a developer.
We knew we had to find someone special. 

That's where the dcoded network came in. 

We've been in the tech recruitment game for over 12 years, and we know the best leaders and techies in the industry. We tapped into those relationships, and we found a shortlist of incredibly talented Fractional CTOs with a passion for EdTech.
 

The Search: Rigorous, But Human

We went beyond our network. We scoured SaaS/EdTech forums, Online Communities, Social platforms, Referrals and leading UK based Job boards. Every candidate went through a thorough screening process:
•    Tech Deep Dive: We tested their technical skills, making sure they could handle the challenges our client faced.
•    Culture Fit: We wanted to ensure their personality and values aligned with the startup's unique culture.
•    SaaS Expertise: We presented real-world EdTech scenarios to see how they'd approach them.
We handled all the legal stuff; IR35, SDS, EAA Regulations, Compliance, Contract etc - ensuring everything was above board and compliant with UK regulations. We wanted to make the process as smooth as possible for our client.

The Perfect Match: Found!

In the end, we found the perfect candidate: an experienced CTO with over 15 years in SaaS (with EdTech experience), and still technically strong enough to ensure the right technology is being procured / used. They had built successful platforms for other SaaS startups and truly understood the challenges and opportunities in this space. Most importantly, they clicked with our client.
We worked closely with both parties to finalise the agreement, ensuring everyone was happy. Within hours/days, the new Fractional CTO was on board, ready to make a real impact.

The Results: A Win-Win

The results have been fantastic:
•    Faster Development: They're shipping new features more quickly.
•    Scalable Platform: Their platform is now ready for rapid growth.
•    Data-Driven Decisions: They're using data to make smarter product decisions.
•    A Thriving Team: The CTO is mentoring the team and fostering a culture of innovation.

Helping Busienss Thrive, through Tech

This success story shows the power of a human-centred approach to recruitment. We don't just fill roles; we connect businesses with the talent they need to thrive.
If you're looking for exceptional tech talent, we'd love to hear from you. Let's work together to shape the future our tomorrow.

Contact us today on 0161 710 4880 or hello@wearedcoded.com